Michigan School Bus Driver Charged In Death of Student Hit by Car

The Detroit school bus driver reportedly failed to activate the school bus's stop lights and stop sign to allow the child to safely cross the street.

by SBF Staff

April 12, 2022

Michigan School Bus Driver Charged In Death of Student Hit by Car — School bus driver Debra White was charged in a 13-year-old student's death, after she reportedly failed to activate the school bus's stop lights and stop sign to allow the child to safely cross the street.
*Photo: Detroit Police Department*

1 min to read

CHARGED: The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has charged Debra White, 65, of Detroit, in connection with a vehicle crash on April 6, that killed 13-year-old Zyiar Harris. pic.twitter.com/EFZXIhCE2P
— Detroit Police News (@detroitpolice) April 11, 2022

A 65-year-old school bus driver was charged in connection to the death of a 13-year-old boy who was hit and killed while exiting a Detroit school bus. The accident happened April 6. The student, identified as Zyiar Harris, died on April 10.

According to a release from the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, school bus driver Debra White worked for the ABC Bus Company. She reportedly failed to activate the school bus's stop lights and stop sign to allow the child to safely cross the street.

White was initially charged with second-degree child abuse and failure to stop at a scene resulting in death. The prosecutor's office reported that the charges were issued before the student died. The case will be reviewed again when the prosecutor's office has reports from the medical examiner's office.

White was arraigned and given a $50,000 personal bond. She is due to appear in court on April 19.

Topics:Fatal Accidents bus drivers Michigan Driver Safety child safety Safety

More Safety

Safety•June 11, 2026

Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System

The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.

Safety•by Elora Haynes•June 9, 2026

N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students

New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.

Graphic for an opinion article on illegal school bus passing. A school bus with its stop arm extended is stopped as children cross the street, while a black SUV drives past. Headline reads, “America’s School Bus Blind Spot.” School Bus Fleet branding appears in the corner.

Safety•June 8, 2026

America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse

Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.

A black, white, and red graphic with an image of a school bus on a New York street and text reading "Legislative Roundup May 2026."

Safety•by Elora Haynes•May 29, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate

Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.

The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation

Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.